Harold L. Rosbottom, Jr. Indicted for Bankruptcy Fraud and Money Laundering
Indictment Alleges Nearly $2 Million Concealed

SHREVEPORT, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Harold L. Rosbottom, Jr., age 55, a Shreveport businessman, was indicted today by a federal grand jury for concealing nearly $2 million from his creditors in the course of his bankruptcy proceeding and subsequently laundering the money in order to purchase a 65’ Hatteras sportfisherman boat and a half-interest in a private jet.

Rosbottom’s bankruptcy case is pending in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Shreveport. The grand jury named Rosbottom in four counts of concealment of assets from creditors and the United States Trustee, specifically, a seriesof 17 cashier’s checks totaling $1,820,195, all payable to himself, as well as a $140,000 deposit given to a Florida broker towards the purchase of a 65’ boat. Rosbottom is also charged with two counts of money laundering, first for causing the transfer of more than $1.1 million in order to purchase the boat and also for causing the transfer of $540,000 to pay for a 50 percent ownership interest in a Westwind 1124 jet aircraft. Finally, the grand jury charged Rosbottom with two counts of giving a false oath and account when questioned about these transactions during the course of his bankruptcy proceeding.

Also named in the indictment is Ashley Kisla, age 43, of Coushatta, La., who is charged with one count of giving a false oath and account regarding the financial arrangements surrounding the boat purchase.

If convicted, Rosbottom faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, on each count of concealment of assets, and a similar prison term and fine on each count of false oath and account. The money laundering counts carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of twice the amount of money involved in the transaction, or both. If convicted, Kisla faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of $1,677,506 from Rosbottom.

Rosbottom and Kisla will appear for arraignment in U.S. District Court in Shreveport at a date and time to be scheduled by the Court.

An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Shreveport Resident Agency, and the United States Trustee’s Office, Region V. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Bill Flanagan and Cytheria Jernigan.